By Emma Black
The Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) of the Sierra Leone Police on Wednesday, 8 January 2026, has recorded significant successes in its nationwide operations against drug trafficking, organized crime, and related offenses during the festive season, according to an official update presented ahead of a press briefing.
Speaking during a police press conference held on Wednesday at the Police Mess in Kingtom, Freetown, officers detailed a series of arrests, seizures, and investigations carried out between late December 2025 and early January 2026, as well as a comprehensive review of TOCU’s activities throughout 2025.
Among the key arrests, TOCU confirmed that on Sunday, 28 December 2025, Mohamed Bangura of Magburaka Road, Makeni, was arrested with 185 tablets suspected to be Ecstasy, along with a small quantity of a substance believed to be cocaine. Both exhibits are currently undergoing forensic analysis.
On Wednesday, 31 December 2025, Abu Bakarr Koroma of No. 4 Hill Street, Magburaka Town, was arrested with one carton containing ten grosses of substances suspected to be Tramadol. Forensic examination is also pending in this case.
At the Freetown International Airport in Lungi, intelligence-led operations by the Local Unit Commander (LUC) resulted in the impounding of 44 cartons suspected to be Tramadol on Monday, 5 January 2026. This was followed by another major seizure on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, when an additional 37 cartons of suspected Tramadol 250mg were intercepted. Investigations into both seizures are ongoing.
In a separate operation on Monday, 5 January 2026, TOCU arrested Alhaji Sillah of No. 20 Antanah Street, Portee, Freetown, and Mohamed Karbo, a driver from Waterloo, who was in control of a yellow and black Benz 12D with registration number AYB-579. The suspects were found with six parcels of shredded leaves suspected to be Kush, concealed inside the vehicle. The substances are awaiting forensic analysis.
Presenting an analysis of TOCU operations from 1 January to 31 December 2025, Head of TOCU, Mr. Michael J. K. Laggah (D/CSP), disclosed that the unit handled 70 narcotics cases under investigation, charged 202 cases to court, and secured 27 convictions. Numerous raids were conducted nationwide as part of sustained enforcement efforts.
On human trafficking and migrant smuggling, TOCU recorded 12 cases under investigation, 25 cases charged to court, and three convictions.
Regarding conspiracy to defraud, the unit handled 18 cases charged to court, with several still under investigation.
TOCU also reported on migration-related cases. Between 1 February and 31 December 2025, a total of 44 Sierra Leonean deportees were returned from the United States of America, comprising 39 males and five females.
In collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), TOCU facilitated the return of 660 Sierra Leoneans from Sahel countries including Libya, Niger, Mauritania, and Algeria between January and December 2025. The returnees included 259 adult females, 183 adult males, 99 males below 18 years, and 145 females below 18 years.
Statistics from the six policing regions revealed intensified raids during the festive season. A total of 202 raids were conducted nationwide, leading to 47 cases under investigation, 13 cases charged to court, 42 suspects warned and released, 14 cases transferred to TOCU, and several others transferred to the criminal investigations Department (CID).
Police authorities explained that suspects who were warned and released were those against whom insufficient evidence was found at the time, while investigations continue into seized goods and exhibits through forensic analysis.
Addressing journalists, police officials said the festive season operations were aimed at curbing the circulation of illicit drugs, dismantling organized crime networks, and ensuring public safety during the holidays, they reaffirmed the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations and urged the public to continue providing timely information to support crime prevention efforts.
The press briefing update was officially submitted by Mr. Michael J. K. Laggah (D/CSP), Head of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 12th January 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
